Five years ago, Natalie Babcock and Samuel Gibson stumbled upon a two-bedroom apartment in Beachwood Canyon that immediately captured their hearts.
With charming built-in bookshelves, a faux fireplace, hardwood floors, and a formal dining room, the couple felt a sense of the unique about their new home.
The practical amenities, including an in-unit laundry and a garage, made the apartment even more appealing, especially because such features are often hard to find in Los Angeles rentals.
Yet, what has impressed them the most over the years is the deep sense of belonging they have discovered within the community surrounding their 1928 Spanish fourplex.
Babcock, an educator specializing in adolescent mental health, says, “Everyone knows our dogs’ names. There is a true community vibe in this neighborhood.”
Gibson, a screenwriter and Spanish professor originally from London, adds, “I’ve never lived in a place that felt like a neighborhood. We’re in a message group with our neighbors. Sometimes our dog walks take forever because we stop every few minutes to say hello to someone.”
Before settling into this welcoming community, the couple faced a difficult year. Gibson had to return to England to care for his mother, who was battling pancreatic cancer.
At the same time, Babcock moved in with her parents to help care for her father, who had a catastrophic stroke.
Reflecting on that period, Babcock describes it as “the worst year of our lives,” expressing the weight of loss they endured with Gibson’s mother passing and her father’s health crisis.
Seeking a fresh start, they were eager to create new memories in a new apartment.
After numerous online searches, they finally found a listing for the Hollywood apartment on Zillow, only to be met with fierce competition during the open house described as “a feeding frenzy.”
Believing the apartment was underpriced at $2,995, the couple felt an urgent need to stand out among the many interested applicants.
To enhance their chances, they crafted a personal letter detailing their story and included photos, sending it to their potential landlord.
Babcock recalls, “Eve and I were in a panic because the apartment was so beautiful and we really wanted to live there. The three of us were an unconventional group, though, and we hoped they might choose us.”
When they officially moved in during February 2020, excitement abounded, although they quickly found themselves isolating together during the COVID-19 pandemic, turning the apartment into a refuge.
“The apartment was a welcome reset,” Babcock noted, appreciating the opportunity to nest and decorate during a time of uncertainty.
A year later, after Eve moved out, Gibson transformed her bedroom into an art-filled office that serves as a guest room for visiting friends and family.
They chose a durable mattress topper from IKEA for the guest bed, emphasizing the importance of comfort while hosting, as Babcock mentioned, “Blow-up mattresses always deflate. This is a better option.”
Their vibrant taste and love for design are evident throughout the apartment, with bold color choices reflecting their personalities.
One wall in Gibson’s office features a striking Kelly green, allowing his extensive art collection to stand out, while the bedroom boasts a charcoal accent wall that fosters a tranquil atmosphere.
“Paint is your friend,” Babcock asserts, encouraging others to embrace bold color selections and use a mindset of “ask for forgiveness, not permission” when it comes to DIY and landlord agreements.
Each artwork displayed has a personal story behind it, from framed prints in the kitchen to oil paintings in the living room and hallway, complemented by mixed-media pieces in the office acquired from local artists, eBay, Gibson’s sister, and even items picked up off the street.
Adding to the apartment’s vibrant atmosphere is a collection of lush houseplants, including a Monstera deliciosa, a rubber tree, and a ponytail palm.
These plants thrive in the abundance of bright, indirect sunlight streaming through the large picture windows overlooking the lively Beachwood Drive.
“Art is one thing that I am always happy to spend money on,” Gibson shares, underscoring their dedication to fostering a visually stimulating environment.
In an effort to update their kitchen, Gibson painted the walls blue and laid down peel-and-stick floor tiles over outdated yellow linoleum floors, creating a fresh look at a minimal cost, with one package of tiles priced at just $17.99.
Describing the project, Gibson says, “It wasn’t the hardest project, but you do have to measure each tile to the centimeter because the apartment has moved slightly over the years, presumably from earthquakes.”
Throughout their cozy 1,200-square-foot rental, the couple has curated a collection of vintage Midcentury furniture and thrifted pieces sourced from Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
Gibson likens their decorating approach to putting together a puzzle, noting, “There’s something nice about scraping together designs. It’s like a puzzle where you have to patch different styles together.”
In their lively living room, they furnished the space with a Bensen L-shaped sofa discovered at a warehouse sale, vibrant yellow swivel chairs acquired from a downtown car, and leather loungers found on Facebook Marketplace.
Also, they invested in a dining table that accommodates eight, found in a grimy Hollywood flat, as they enjoy hosting formal dinner parties, with Babcock leading the charge in organizing gatherings.
“I grew up around the dining-room table,” says Babcock, a native of West Los Angeles.
For added charm, they installed a stone cigar table in the corner of the dining room, inspired by a trip to Casa Luis Barragán in Mexico City, purchased from a designer living in a downtown loft.
Their dogs, Chili, who they rescued as a puppy in 2020, and Peaches, a “foster fail” adopted in 2023, also influenced some of their decor choices, such as opting for washable sofa covers.
“We’ve made great friends here,” Gibson reflects, noting their ability to stroll with their dogs in every direction, whether it’s to the Hollywood Reservoir, Bronson Canyon’s caves, the Sunset Ranch stables, or Griffith Park, which offers a scenic two-hour loop.
Though they occasionally dream of owning a home, Gibson expresses a strong attachment to their current apartment, stating, “Yes, of course, but I think we would truly never leave this apartment unless we could buy a house with a yard. It’s like London, in that, having a yard is a luxury.”
Babcock echoes this sentiment, recognizing that while outdoor spaces for their dogs or an extra bathroom would be beneficial, they wouldn’t want to give up such a beautiful apartment.
“It would be a shame to buy a house that’s not as nice as this,” Gibson adds thoughtfully.
For now, the couple is content in their vibrant Hollywood Hills apartment, filled with artistic expressions and surrounded by the love of their furry companions and close-knit neighborhood.
Babcock humorously concludes, “We joke that we will die here,” reaffirming their deep connection to their home.
image source from：latimes
